Blue and Gold, baby!!

I live in what I would consider to be a fairly small town. And the town I graduated high school in is the neighboring small town. And if you have ever lived in, visited, seen or even heard of a small town, than you know what football means to them. And when you have two small towns that are practically touching, they are rivals in high school sports. And when it comes to football? It's on, baby!! Well, anyways, since I live in this particular town, I find myself supporting all of their sports (at least mentally, since I can't really physically be there) all year long. But on The Big Game of the Year, when they play against my alma mater, I can't help but root for my Badgers. So, I wear blue and gold to school. I did it last year, and just about regretted it. Word got around that a few of us teachers are graduates of said neighboring town and our cars magically got decorated with phrases supporting the local team. But I couldn't help myself again this year. I gotta be faithful (besides, my graduating school has been known to have a pretty kick-butt football team!!). Surprisingly, not a lot of students even noticed that I was wearing blue and gold yesterday. A few teachers commented on my bravery and that if I actually taught at the high school and showed up to work wearing those colors, I'd probably get tied up and stuffed in trash can! I'm sure my bravery would be nonexistent if I was actually employed at the high school. So to no avail, I didn't really rile anyone up with my rival colors.

We didn't go to The Big Game of the Year last night, because Hubby and I had a date night planned and we saw 'The Dark Knight" (very dark and bittersweet, I think), but I was there in spirit, cheering on my Badgers.

And guess what? They won! Again! In fact, they pretty much win every year against the other school (ahem, aside from last year. But we can give them 1 win in 10 years!!). 35-21. Hey, at least it wasn't a slaughter. Wasn't that nice of us? :)

Go Badgers !!

Perspective

Man oh man, has it been a very taxing week. I'm not getting into all of the details, as it might stress me out just retelling it, but let's just say I have had to mother one of my fellow 7th grade teachers and it's worn me thin. I guess I have to just (as the Vice Principal has said) "let him fall on his face". And today was Fantastic Friday, which was a crazy thing in itself.

But the beautiful thing about this week, was meeting baby Jillian. We went over to Ms. Cindy's house last night and I got to hold the baby. She's so tiny and so sweet. Here she is, with our little Grace. Boy, does our little girl look big in comparison!! I guess that's to be expected, since they're 5 months apart!!

So, all worked out in the end. And now it's Friday. That makes me happy.

P.S.

Baby Jillian is doing well. Ms. Cindy was discharged Sunday, but has stayed down near the hospital, so she could nurse and keep an eye on her. The baby is off breathing support (but will be using oxygen at times at home for awhile), is maintaining her own body heat and is eating well. A week stay in the hospital is not too bad for a baby that was 4 weeks early. What a blessing...

Yawn.

I'm tired. The days whizz past me faster than a blur (or even faster than I can say, "blur"!"), so I haven't written much. Sorry. I have a lot to say it seems, but my energy level dips below zero and now I am ready for bed. I will tell you that things are okey dokey around here. Mason's enjoying Preschool (he tells me ALL ABOUT IT after I pick him up everyday--he has a few friends and they like to scare each other, he likes to paint and sing songs, and sometimes other kids have to go to Time Out), Gracie still spits up, but is getting easier to care for. We go in for her 6 month appt. on the 15th, so we'll see if she's jumped up on the percentiles yet. Work is keeping me the most exhausted. Being a Team Leader is busy busy and I thank the Lord everyday that I have two students that are T.A.'s for me!! They do a lot of the grunt work and crap I just don't have time for! Other than that, I am whooped and need my beauty sleep.

Goodnight for now.

Baby love, my baby love...

Our dear friend Ms. Cindy had her baby this afternoon. (Forgotten about Ms. Cindy? See The many adventures of a chocolate goat, the closing gap and a pregnant babysitter http://lionheadden.blogspot.com/2008/01/many-adventures-of-chocolate-goat.html ) Long story short, she was 4 weeks early and was born via C-Section, partly because of the baby's enlarged heart. Her name is Jillian Marie and she was 6 lbs 4 oz. She's on a breathing machine, but I think she's hanging in there pretty well.

Top 10 Reasons My 30th Birthday ROCKED!!!

Whew. What a birthday!! It was amazing. Let me preface with saying that my Hubby is the greatest. And I don't deserve him. On to the list...

10. My students were super sweet on Friday. They made me cards, some brought me presents and they sang to me. A lot.

9. Mrs. Social Studies left 30 balloons in my classroom. And bought me lunch that day. Nice. The balloons don't look so pretty now, but they did, trust me.

8. Mr. Science gave me a bag of chocolate, and sent his entire ACE (Homeroom) class in with construction paper birthday cards. Some of the kids didn't even know me! He is awesome!

7. My Hubby threw me and his twin sisters (their birthday is today) a surprise party. Well, I knew there was a party, but I didn't know my parents and one of my BFFs and her girls would be there. Check out the cake. Yeah, even though his sisters are 8 years older than me, guess who had the "Over the Hill" candle? Mmm hmm.

6. I have discovered a new favorite coffee drink which I bought for myself Friday morning: a Strawberries and Cream Frappucino from a local place. Coffee? Yum! Strawberries? Really yum!! Happy Birthday to me!

5. My Hubby surprised me after the party with a super fantastic fancy shmancy resort for the night. It was goregeous. Here are many pictures of the beautiful place:

4. My Hubby (seeing a pattern here??) arranged for me to get my hair colored, cut and styled at an actual SALON on Friday evening. That was fun. They brought me wine and cookies! No snack at Fantastic Sams or Cost Cutters!!

3. Hubby is on the list again for getting me a MASSAGE this morning, before we left the resort. It was super relaxing. I felt a bit slick from the oils after the fact, but it was worth it.

2. This one is a biggie: MY HUBBY TOOK ME TO SEE THE DAVE MATTHEWS BAND LAST NIGHT!! (A bit ironic that my last entry was regarding Leroi and I didn't even know I was going) He had actually joined their fan club months ago, hoping to get awesomely close seats, but there was a glitch with our credit card (a incorrect charge) and he couldn't get the tickets that way. So, we didn't have as nice of seats as he had anticipated, but it was still amazing. And they performed for 3 hours!! I was blown away. Sorry the pictures is unidentifiable. I took it with my phone and it was dark outside but really bright onstage. (but not as bright as it looks--that's not the actual sun on the stage, just to clear up any confusion!!)

And the Number 1 reason my 30th birthday rocked, is....

1. MY HUBBY STARTED PLANNING ALL OF HIS SURPRISES TWO YEARS AGO!!

That's right ladies and gentlemen!! He started putting away $8 a paycheck (not too much, so I wouldn't notice) for 2 years, made a ton of phone calls and searches on websites to get it right. Is that incredible or what?

My question is: What did I do to deserve him? Only God knows...

This is sad

One of my hubby and I's favorite bands of all time is the Dave Matthews Band. I subscribe to their myspace, and this was posted today:

LeRoi Moore 1961-2008
We are deeply saddened that LeRoi Moore, saxophonist and founding member of Dave Matthews Band, died unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, August 19, 2008, at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles from sudden complications stemming from his June ATV accident on his farm near Charlottesville, Virginia. LeRoi had recently returned to his Los Angeles home to begin an intensive physical rehabilitation program.

We will be praying for his family and the entire band.

It's party time, excellent...

Okay, for a brief moment in time, I had a fallish (I know it's not a word!!) background, because I'm already tired of summer, but I changed my mind. I decided to go with a more festive and fitting background--PARTY!! My big 30th is on Friday. Yep, I'll no longer be in my 20's. Yowza. It's good, but a little freaky too. Anyways, hope you enjoy the colorful and partyish (also not a word) look of things around here. Feel free to comment on your comments...Errr, wait...Whatever. PARTY!!!!

Hum De Dum...

I feel like I should write. It's been since Tuesday. Sorry about that. I feel like the major roles in my life of being a teacher and a mom have consumed me lately. I know as time rolls on, I'll figure out a way to balance it all out and still have time for you. Right? I hope so. Recently, I have taken a virtual trip back in time and scanned through some of my older blogs, including the very first one entitled, "My First Attempt". Check it out if you're a newbie, and gasp at all the time that has passed if you're a Lionhead Blog veteran. http://lionheadden.blogspot.com/2005/08/my-first-attempt.html Anyhow, it got me thinking and feeling a little sad, because I feel like my blogs have lacked luster for some time now, and I have missing gaps of creativity in my entries. For this I apologize. I'm sure a majority of my recent entries are read out of obligation--you've been a committed reader and/or you don't want to hurt my feelings by not reading it. If that's the case, then I feel like I have wasted your time. Well, maybe not completely. I should give myself a little credit. Sometimes my blogs have been sprinkled with a little humor or interesting anecdotes. I just wish it was more of a downpour, rather than a sprinkle. I used to write good stuff. I have friends out there that are reading this right now, and are thinking, "yeah, I remember Lionhead writing some good stuff!!" What happened, you ask? I don't know. Maybe in my aging process (I'll be the big 3-0 in 6 days, people!!), I have lost touch with my witty, creative blogger side. Or maybe I'm lazy. Or don't have time anymore with two kids. Or maybe--wait, I don't have any other guesses. What I'm trying to say is that I pray for creativity. I know that may sounds trite or silly, but I miss always having the right words, and words that came out funny and entertaining. I not only miss that in myself, but I miss being able to share that with you.


So, here it goes: Dear Lord, can I please find my creative side again? Pretty please? I would like to share the gift of witty words with the world (whoa, that was an illiteration...). Amen.

Still alive

Yes, I'm still okay. Yes, I'm tired. Yes, I'm busy. And yes, that's the extent of this blog for today. More this weekend. If I feel like it.



P.S. 9 days until my birthday, people!! :)

Now that I've finally got a minute...

I wanted to take a moment and share how my first week of school went. I survived. And it wasn't too bad, all things considered. And when I say "all things", I mean that we didn't have (and still don't have) a counselor (she's supposedly coming to us from out of state), our assistant principal was moved to the high school thus they gave us back our formal assistant principal from two years ago (she was also my sub at the end of the year), we are trying out a new block schedule this year and we have about a half dozen new teachers this year. I remember laughing to myself two Fridays ago, thinking, "wow, this is going to be an interesting school year". And it turned out not half bad.

I still have the same block setup as last year, but it's considered only one period this year instead of two. And I have a class at the end of my day called ACE, which is kind of like a homeroom/study skills/prep for the big state tests. So, I have three blocks like before, and a 30 minute ACE, with some of the same kids from my Language Arts classes. My three blocks have an average of 29 which isn't too bad, and there's a whopping 18 in my ACE. A small class is nice, but out of the 18, 15 are boys!! 15!! It makes for a quaint but talkative group. I swear sometimes boys are more talkative than girls!!

I have an interesting group this year. In my last Language Arts block, I have 6 siblings of kids I've had in the past, including Hockey Boy's brother (maybe I'll get free hockey tickets again this year??), Charming Boy's sister (Charming Boy was one of my 8th graders from 2 years ago), among others. So that was kinda funny. But I have started to realize that the Curse of the Last Class of the Day seems to still ring true. They are my squirelliest and hardest to get calm. Detentions may be issued very shortly. Sad but inevitable.

Well, Gracie is waking, but I did want to leave with dumb things we've already heard in our classrooms this year:

(In Science class) "Why do we even eat food if we're just gonna poop it out?"

(In Social Studies) "I just realized that we live in North America!" AND "Is Peru in China?"

So. Very. Tired.

I want to tell you all about my first week back to school, I really do. But I am still adjusting to switching gears from mommy to teacher to mommy everyday. I am glad to be back to work. Just give me some time to settle in.


P.S. My 30th birthday is two weeks from tomorrow!!! Still time to shop! :)

Survivor: Inservices DAY TWO

Today was long but productive and fun. I puttered around my classroom a bit, sat through meetings and Inservices that were somewhat informative, but mostly social. I went to lunch with my 7th grade team and it was nice to take a breath and get off campus (especially because our air conditioner isn't working properly!!). I am mostly done in my room, but I have a few things I want to organize a bit more so it looks all pretty. Plus, I haven't even begun to make copies for next week. Let's hope that gets done tomorrow...

Goodnight.

Survivor: Inservices

Today was my first real day back to work. I survived. It was a little surreal being back in the building with all of the staff and such. It felt good to be around the familiar faces and to introduce myself to the newbies. We had some laughs, complained about funds and made some plans for this school year. I hope to have more time tomorrow to get a lot of odds and ends finished up in my room. We'll see.

My hubby and I and the kids went to Chili's tonight, and as soon as we walked in the door, I was spotted by Hormone Boy (have you forgotten such a memorable student? Oh well, this would be a good time to take a trip down memory lane. See Not Your Average Teenage Angst http://lionheadden.blogspot.com/2007/01/not-your-average-teenage-angst.html It's worth reading again. I know I just did.) Anywho, he was wearing a nice "wifebeater" shirt and holding the hand of a pretty skanky looking girl (was that mean?) and he said hi to me first. Funny, because I thought he absolutely despised me (case in point. Hormone Boy's at it again http://lionheadden.blogspot.com/2007/01/hormone-boys-at-it-again.html ), but apparently not, because he has gone out of his way to talk to me every time I've seen him since 2 school years ago (which must have been at least 4 or 5 times). I guess you never know which ones will have a fond memory of you...

I wonder what tomorrow brings...

Meow

Things are a little better since my last entry. As far as our littlest "kitty" Gracie, we are trying soy formula and are now playing the Waiting Game to see if it helps.

I'm trying to make the most of today and tomorrow, as I officially return to work on Wednesday. I am ready to go back, that is for sure, but I also treasure time with my little ones at home. I'm torn, really. I wish I could have both: work a little and be home a little. But that's not in the cards for me. And I know we'll all make the best of it.

Oh, and a little snippet before I go: the other day Mason and I were talking about his Preschool and he asked if Elmo and Zoey (from Sesame Street, for the uninformed) could come to his school. I said, "Maybe they could, who knows?" to which he said, "Yeah, maybe. But not Cookie Monster. He'd eat my school!" Just thought that was funny...

It has been a challenging few days...

I am exhausted. Physically and emotionally. Mentally. Metaphysically? Metaphorically? Hypothetically? And any other way you can be. Let's see if I can rememeber why...

Well, first of all, we thought we were making headway with Gracie's colic, but I swear it has returned. She's spitting up and spewing like Old Faithful once again and she seems really uncomfortable. We also think she MAY BE teething. Last night, she was wailing uncontrollably, and biting down on her fingers. We're not sure. But we do know that it is grating on our nerves and we feel bad for her.

Tuesday, I had a scheduled teeth cleaning and exam at a dentist's office. It has been years. And years. I think some time before Hubby got out of the Army, I went. Who knows when that was. 5 years ago? I'm not sure. Anyways. I had an appointment for 2 and they told me to be there 20 minutes early to do paperwork. So I get there at 1:40 and have the paperwork filled out lickety split. And then I sit. And sit some more. I was finally seen at 2:20. They took me back and did 16 X-RAYS (Apparently that's standard for them). Then I sat. And sat some more. The dentist finally came and poked around in my mouth a bit with his ice pick, spouting out numbers and abbreviations to his assistant. That always makes me nervous. Then he went behind my chair and started typing stuff. Also made me nervous. Then he disappeared. Then I waited. It was after 3 by this time. Then he came back and said that I need 5 fillings!! I guess the existing ones I have need repairs. Then he left again. Finally, at 3:40, when he came back in the room for the billionth time, I asked how much longer and he said that they were about to get started on the cleaning and it would be another half hour!! That's after I have been there since 1:40!! I then told them that I had other things to do and that I'd have to reschedule. I get to the front and they give me the quote for the fillings before insurance and it was almost $800!! Yeah, no thanks. I was steaming. After complaining to the receptionist, she told me that usually the hygenist does the cleaning, but they scheduled me with the dentist, and he had 4 other patients he was seeing at the same time! That's why he kept leaving the room so much!! Gee, thanks. So needless to say, we are now in search of another dentist that won't leave me in limbo for 2 hours!!

Wednesday, I woke up and got the kids ready to go to Preschool and the babysitter so I could go work in my room. Then I discover my keys are missing. And Hubby's already at work. I realize that my keys are at Ms. Allergy's house ( a work friend that has serious food allergies) because we visited them the night before. It's only 7 in the morning and I'm afraid they won't even be awake yet. Thank God they were awake and they live just a few blocks away, so her hubby drove them over to me. I got the kids loaded and took them to their respective places. I got to my room and decided I would put material up on my bulletin boards this year, because I'm tired of butcher paper. So I ran to Walmart and got what I needed. Let's just say I'm thankful the lady in the craft section gave me a little extra, because when I got it back to my room and cut it, I screwed up big time. First of all, I should never be trusted to measure and cut anything. Secondly, I couldn't get the material to stay on one side of the board while I stapled, the air was also off in the building so I was sweating like a warthog (I imagine they sweat a lot!) and my hands were moist. I ended up having to use pieces together to make one board and one small board didn't get any material at all. I just wanted to throw something. And because of that big production, I have to go back to my room tomorrow and get the rest of my to-do list finished so I am not worrying about it next week during Inservices and such.

Sigh. I guess that was it. I'm just tired and drained. So, you're welcome for such a lengthy blog!! I hope you appreciate what I do for you!! :)

I'm a big kid now!!

Today was Mason's first day of Preschool. He was so excited last night, he didn't fall asleep until well after 9, even though we put him to bed at 8! He didn't have a problem saying goodbye to me when I dropped him off, especially because we were in time for waffles and applesauce for breakfast!! When I picked him at noon, he told me that they played outside (and he went on 4 SLIDES!!), ate cookies and orange juice for snack and they sang their ABC's. I couldn't help but to smile. I'm so happy that he had such fun. It will make dropping him off there everyday a lot easier...

I also took Grace to her 4 month appointment today. She measured 23.5 inches in length, which was good (that's almost 5 inches since birth!!), but only 10.12 pounds. That's in the 5th percentile. The doc said she wasn't real worried, but we needed to watch her intake and make sure she's getting enough. She seemed to be getting chunkier and heavier..

My babies are growing up so fast. Grace turned 4 months old today, and today was Mason's first day of Preschool. I'm in a happy place, don't get me wrong. I just can't believe school will be in session this time in 2 weeks.

It's down to the wire

Next Monday, Mason starts Preschool. It'll only be for a few hours, but still. He's starting Preschool! I need to go into my classroom for a little bit, so Grace is going to her new sitter Allison's house and Mason will be going to Preschool. He'll go two days next week: Monday and Wednesday (all day!!). He's excited and really, so am I. I'm so happy for him that he'll be making new friends and having new experiences and getting to do lots of fun stuff!! I just can't believe how fast he's grown. When I started this blog, he was 8 months old. Now, he's 3 and a half!! Grace will be 4 months old on Monday! And I know she's going to be in great hands with Allison. She has a 2 year old son of her own and she's a loving, caring, Christian woman. I feel completely comfortable leaving Grace with her. It's just caught up with me a bit that I'm going back to work.

But I do look forward to all of the comical events that will occur in my life, as I am thrusted back into the world of Hormone Central (a.k.a. middle school). Prepare for some mind blowing stories coming soon!!

Until then, I am wrapping my mind around everything that's going on in the near future, with a teary smile...

Playing is hard work

We have learned that if tired enough, Gracie will sleep anywhere. She has slept on the changing table, on the floor, in her carseat, in your arms, in her swing, in her bed (of course) and in her Jumperroo (see above). It was so cute, but a little sad too. Poor thing played so hard that she passed out...

Yesterday, Mason got out some modeling clay and played around with it a bit. But quickly, the activity turned into Mason telling Mommy what animal to make, and then Mommy attempting to make it. Note: I am a LANGUAGE ARTS teacher, not an ART teacher. So, give me a break. :) From left to right, the clay animals shown, are: a fish, dog, cat, bunny, turtle, snake and snail.

I'm gonna wipe my bottom at Preschool!!!

Yesterday was a great time. I took my big man Mason out for some Mommy Time. We went to Old Navy and got him a few new outfits (crazy clearance prices!!) for going to school, then to Target for a napping-at-school blanket (he picked Wall-E), then to Peter Piper Pizza for some lunch and games. He had a blast. I got $5 in tokens and he ran around playing practically every game. He found one of those games where you aim the token for the spinning wheel there are different values on holes that you aim for. He shoved in the token willy nilly and BAM! he hit the 50 ticket spot!! Score!! He was so proud to pull out the mile of tickets and show them to me!

At the end, he had 134 tickets and he eagerly took them to the prize counter. For the $5, he got a cheapy plastic Army truck, one army man and a bouncy ball (which probably would have cost less than a dollar total in a toystore), but it was worth it. He found pure delight in the game playing and showing me his skills on ski ball so much so that I followed him around with a similar feeling.

And of course we talked about him going to Preschool. He's pretty much psyched now. We have the First Day of School outfit laying on his dresser and he has asked when he gets to go. And we've been working on him wiping his own bottom (a huge feat for a 3 year old, as it easier for Mommy and Daddy to help, than Mommy finding tracks in the Underroos!), and he came out of the bathroom with his chest all puffed out and he said, "I'm gonna wipe my bottom at Preschool!"

I was a proud Mommy...